Firefighting Intervention Jacket S-Gard SWISSGARD 2.0 - DTS

INTERVENTION SUIT S-GARD SWISSGARD

The S-GARD SWISSGARD series represents particularly visible firefighting protective clothing made from comfortable and lightweight materials. The GORE-TEX® FIREBLOCKER® membrane and the ergonomically designed cut of these suits provide a lightweight feel when worn, while offering excellent protection.

INTERVENTION FIREFIGHTING JACKET S-GARD SWISSGARD

The versatility of the SWISSGARD jacket is extensive, such as the ergonomically designed collar, slightly cut around the chin area to allow for better head movement.

PRX9000 PROTECTION

PRX9000 is the result of years of development by S-GARD experts and is one of the company's important patents.

PRX9000 is made of a special polymer that is foamed, permanently elastic, and flame-resistant.

Its purpose is to have an impact on the microclimate inside the jacket. This is achieved through upright ribs (strips) that, when the firefighter moves, facilitate easier and faster air circulation in the suit, thereby preventing heat stroke, which is a dangerous occurrence in firefighting when combined with sweating, poor air circulation, and extreme conditions.

PRX9000 also provides pressure relief in the heavily strapped shoulder and back area, allowing not only microclimate regulation in the suit but also comfortable wearing of the breathing apparatus.

MOVE+ SYSTEM

S-Gard intervention suits are made of 3 layers – an outer layer, inner lining, and membrane sandwiched between the two layers. To ensure maximum comfort in firefighter movement, S-Gard has quilted all three layers under the armpits, allowing exceptional firefighter movement even in extreme conditions. This stitching system of all three layers of the jacket under the armpits is called the MOVE+ system. In practice, this means that when a firefighter raises their arm during work, the jacket does not ride up as it would if all three layers were not quilted, thus maintaining high coverage of the jacket, especially in the lower back area with the trousers, which is crucial for extreme external influences on firefighters (exposure to fire). This provides the greatest possible freedom of movement.

DTS SYSTEM AND IRS BELT

Another very important feature of the jacket line is a tunnel that runs through the entire back of the jacket, allowing for threading of an IRS belt (Integrated Rescue and Restraint Sling), which is essentially a belt with a carabiner or a Q-LOCK quick buckle that allows the belt to be attached in just 3 seconds. The IRS belt replaces the traditional belt. The system is designed so that the belt remains inside the jacket at all times, positioned under the armpits, thus not interfering with our work and also not hindering the wearing of the breathing apparatus.

In addition to the belt tunnel, the jacket also features a patented system called the DTS system, which includes a special convenient DTS pocket where a rescue strap with a carabiner is stored and ready for use.

When putting on the jacket before an intervention, the quick buckle located on the chest is fastened. Once fastened, it is covered with a flap, and the system is ready. This method allows for a much quicker accomplishment compared to the traditional belt, and the main two pockets on the front of the jacket remain accessible as they are not covered by the belt strap.

The IRS rescue belt is one of the most innovative products on the market and has two standards:

• EN 358 (standard for personal protective equipment for work positioning and prevention of falls from height)
• EN 1498 (standard for personal protective equipment for protection against falls – rescue loops)

Ways of using the DTS system

The DTS system can be used in various ways, including simultaneously with firefighting intervention gloves.

1. The first way to use the DTS system is when working at heights.

For example, when on a ladder, one hand can be used to hold the ladder while the other hand can extract the attached carabiner and secure in 3 different ways, depending on the required distance/length of the strap. The first way is to attach the carabiner directly to the external support, the second way is to thread the carabiner through an external support and attach it to the ring located on the rescue strap, and the third way is to thread the carabiner through an external support and clip it to the ring located directly next to the quick buckle on the chest.

In the event of a fall from height, it is much better to have the DTS system than a traditional belt, as the DTS system grips the armpit area where there are no vital organs and prevents head rotation or internal organ damage in the abdominal area.

2. The second way to use the DTS system is in firefighter rescue

If an injured firefighter has the DTS system in the jacket, we can hook our DTS system to it and easily extract them from a dangerous area, as the IRS belt is located in the armpit area, where most of the firefighter's weight is concentrated. This proves to be an excellent solution, especially when a lighter firefighter is rescuing a heavier one.

The DTS pocket is standard on all S-Gard Swissguard jackets, while the IRS belt can be purchased optionally.

PRACTICAL POCKETS

A standout feature of the S-Gard SWISSGARD jacket is its pockets, as they are not located on the outer part of the garment but extend into the jacket's interior.

The radio pocket on the left side is adjustable for various radio sizes, as the pocket size can be adjusted with an attached hook-and-loop fastener. The flaps of the chest pockets are reinforced with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an impregnation of silicone and carbon fibers. On the right side, there is a pocket with a strap for flashlight attachment, along with a carabiner for clipping.

Inside, there is also a small pocket near the zipper on the front called the "Napoleon pocket."

Both main front pockets are equipped with carabiner loops that fasten with press studs, limiting the risk of the garment tearing. Both main pockets have reinforced flaps with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an impregnation of silicone and carbon fibers.

JACKET FASTENING

The jacket closes with a quick zipper that allows for quick opening in the event of heat exposure. The zipper is sewn and adapted for use so that it can be closed even with gloves on.

CUFFS AND SLEEVES

The cuff inside the sleeve where the hand goes is called the ITC system, meaning it is not just a loop but a larger, more comfortable, and easily adjustable cuff for different firefighter hand sizes.

Additional reinforcement is at the sleeve ends, made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material, which extends the sleeve's lifespan while the sleeves are designed so that the back of the hand is more covered. The elbow reinforcement is made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® material with an impregnation of silicone and carbon fibers, providing even greater resistance.

REFLECTIVE STRIPS

All reflective strips are double double-stitched, ensuring twice the strength required to tear the strip. The reflective strips are segmented, meaning they are cut, allowing for a softer feel when wearing the suit.

INSPECTION OPENINGS

The jacket has two inspection openings that allow us to inspect the inside of the jacket, enabling us to check both sides of the membrane and their condition. It is recommended that firefighters check the membrane's condition after each internal attack to ensure there are no damages. If the membrane is damaged, it must be repaired or replaced for safety reasons.

ADDITIONAL JACKET FEATURES

The back of the jacket is extended to ensure that when bending over, the back remains covered and not exposed to external elements.

Inside the jacket, there is also an inner pocket with a special ID tag where the user's name, firefighting unit, or other information can be attached, while this should not be done anywhere else on the garment as it could damage it.

• High-quality intervention firefighter suit
• Designed for all firefighting operations, internal and external attack (even when using a breathing apparatus), exceptional flexibility and comfort
• 3-layer suit (outer layer + membrane + inner layer)
• material: DuPont™ Nomex® Comfort Ripstop
• membrane: Gore-Tex® Fireblocker®
• ergonomic collar with adjustable width
• shoulder and back protection PRX9000
• S-GARD® MOVE+ system: all three layers in the suit are quilted in a way that allows the firefighter greater mobility
• DTS system - tunnel for IRS belt and DTS pocket for storing tape with carabiner or Q-LOCK quick coupler (DTS pocket is standard on all Ultimate jackets, IRS belt can be purchased optionally)
• SPECIAL FEATURE: all pockets on the jacket extend into the interior of the jacket (no pocket is sewn onto the outer layer)
• radio station pocket on the left side with depth adjustment
• right chest pocket, with loop for flashlight and carabiner
• inner pocket ("Napoleon pocket")
• two main pockets with loops and carabiner
• reinforced flaps of main pockets with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• elbow protection made of DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• hem with DuPont™ Nomex/Kevlar® coating with silicone and carbon fiber finish
• cut sleeves (ergonomically shaped) for optimal protection and easier movement
• knitted cuff in sleeves with ITC adjustment system (i.e. cuff adjustment system based on the user's hand size)
• waterproof front closure with quick zipper
• twice double-stitched segmented reflective tapes
• 2 inspection openings for inspecting the membrane in the suit
• extended back of the jacket for increased safety
• inner pocket with ID tag for identification
• available colours: dark blue, red
• sizes available: XS – 3XL / Short sizes: KXS – KXXL / Long sizes: LS – LXXL
• standards: EN 469:2020 Level 2, EN 1149-5:2018

PRX-9000 Underlay by S-GARD® Brand

The underlay is particularly sensitive in the area where the breathing equipment is located. PRX-9000 elements are made of a special polymer that is foamy, permanently elastic, and fire-resistant. Due to the perfect fit with S-GARD® protective clothing, they help cushion the pressure on the heavily loaded shoulder and back area.

Thanks to the vertical strap-like design of the elements, airflow from the back to the front is improved, significantly enhancing comfort during wear.

WHAT IS "DTS and IRS SYSTEM" ANYWAY?

Read the article on our BLOG.